Hip belt system

ABSTRACT

A hip belt system ( 10 ) for a golf bag ( 14 ) is provided for transferring a portion of the weight of the bag ( 14 ) during carrying to the hips of the user by way of a hip belt member ( 12 ). The system ( 10 ) includes the belt member ( 12 ) and a longitudinally aligned sleeve ( 24 ) secured to the tubular body ( 16 ) of the golf bag ( 14 ). The belt member ( 12 ) includes a central portion ( 32 ) for extending through the sleeve ( 24 ) and a pair of tapered portions ( 34 ) extending respectively to a first belt end ( 28 ) and a second belt end ( 30 ). The belt ends ( 28  and  30 ) are provided with releasable fasteners ( 36  and  38 ) for mating with each other to provide for quick fastening and unfastening. Length adjusters ( 44 ) are provided on the belt ends in order to adjust the total length of the belt member ( 12 ) to fit the waist of the user. The belt member ( 12 ) is removable from the sleeve ( 24 ) for storage when the hip belt support is not desired.

The following claims priority from a provisional patent application,Ser. No. 61/021,033, filed 15 Jan. 2008 by the same inventors.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to accessories for golfers andparticularly to methods for carrying golf bags used by golfers.

BACKGROUND ART

Golf is a sport which its practitioners often take very seriously.Golfers are always looking for ways in which they can improve their shotmaking and scoring and general enjoyment of the game. Often theseadvances take the form of “improvements” in the equipment used to playthe game (clubs and balls). Others relate to accessories which improvethe quality of the experience, such as golf bags, carts and head covers.

The golf bag for carrying clubs, balls and accessories is a principalelement of any golf experience. When fully loaded, this can weigh asmuch as forty to sixty pound (although judicious packing can keep theweight well below these amounts). Carrying a bag of high weight overeighteen holes can put a significant strain on a golfer's body.Therefore, it is desirable to find ways to improve the balance andweight distribution.

Many efforts have been made to provide improvements to the carryingsystems. The inventor's own X-STRAP® system provides dual shoulderstraps which cross and interlace to provide balance. Another significantimprovement is found in the patents of Karl Feldman Jr. (U.S. Pat. Nos.5,950,889 and 6,182,874) which deal with methods of distributing some ofthe weight of the golf bag to the hips rather than the shoulders of theuser. Notwithstanding these improvements, room remains for furtheradvances in weight distribution systems and methods of achieving comfortand utility to golf bag users.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved hip belt system to facilitate carrying a golf bag with weightdistribution to the hips of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hip belt system which isdetachable from the golf bag for situations where it is unnecessary andcumbersome.

Yet another object of the invention is to reduce fatigue by transferringa substantial portion of the weight from the shoulders to the hips ofthe user during normal use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hip beltsystem which is padded and comfortable against the body when in use, butwhich does not interfere with easy carrying and unloading the bag fromthe user's body.

Briefly, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is hip beltsystem for a golf bag, including a golf bag with a generally tubularbody having a longitudinal axis, a collar formed at one end of saidtubular body, the collar being open for receiving golf club shaftstherethrough to extend into said tubular body, and a pair of shoulderstraps for carrying the bag. The golf bag further includes a sleevemember affixed to side of the tubular body, with the preferred sleevehaving a transverse passage extending between it and the golf bag body,the passage being generally aligned with the longitudinal axis. Anelongated hip belt member is provided for extending and fastening aboutthe hips of the user when said golf bag is being carried. The hip beltis slidably inserted through the transverse passage in the sleeve membersuch that said golf bag may be at least partially supported by said hipbelt when being carried. The hip belt is also padded for comfort,adjustable as to length, and provided with quick release and fasteningcomponents.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an excellentway to redistribute some of the weight of the golf bag from theshoulders to the hips of the user when carrying.

Another advantage of the invention is that it provides an easy on-offmechanism for the belt system so the user can pick up and lay down thebag easily in order to make shots.

An additional advantage of the invention is that the hip belt isremovable so that it does not interfere with carrying the bag on a golfcart or for other situations where the belt system is not desired.

A further advantage of the invention is that the heavily padded sleeveand belt provide comfort and support to the user and promote betterposture during use.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that the hip belt isstiffened in its center expanse to cause it to retain some of its shapewhen unoccupied, making it easier for the user to fit back into thecurvature when it is desired to don the belt system.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the sleeve isshaped and situated to fit against the small of the user's back andprovide comforts and support thereto.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome clear to those skilled in the art in view of the description ofthe best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and theindustrial applicability of the preferred embodiment as described hereinand as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The purposes and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description in conjunction with the appendeddrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a golf bag provided with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2. is a side elevational view of an actual embodiment of theinvention, shown as incorporated into a golf carry bag;

FIG. 3. is a closer view of the sleeve portion of the invention;

FIG. 4. is a side elevational view showing the detail of the adjustableportion of the belt member of the invention; and

FIG. 5. is a perspective view showing the detail of the attachmentportion of the belt member of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is hip belt system adapted to be used with carrybags for golf clubs and accessories. The hip belt system is referred toby the general reference character 10 in the drawings and description.The hip belt system 10 may be incorporated into various golf bags andembodiments.

In one deluxe preferred embodiment of the invention, the hip belt system10 is installed upon a typical golf bag, in this case, a lightweightcarry bag with an integral stand from Sun Mountain Sports, Inc. ofMissoula, Mont., one such model being designated by the manufacturer asthe ZERO-G™ carry bag. An actual model of such is illustrated in thedrawings provided as FIGS. 2-5.

The illustration of FIG. 1 shows the components of the hip belt system10, principally including a belt member 12 installed upon a golf bag 14.The golf bag 14 is illustrated as having a generally tubular body 16being generally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis 18, The golf bag14 includes an open collar 20 formed at one end of the generally tubularbody 16, the collar 20 being open for receiving golf club shafts (notshown) therethrough to extend into the generally tubular body 16, andone or more carrying straps 22 for carrying the bag on the shoulder(s)of the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the straps 22 are adjustably affixed atpoints along the longitudinal axis of the golf bag at a distance roughlythe distance between a person's shoulders. The straps may be seen asbeing attached just below the collar 20 and about one-half way down thebag body 16 in FIG. 2.

In the illustration of FIG. 1, the belt member 12 is illustrated asextending through a sleeve 24 which has a transverse passage 26 formedbetween the sleeve 24 and the tubular bag body 16, the transversepassage 26 being generally aligned with the longitudinal axis 18. Thebelt member 12 slidably fits through the passage 26 and is relativelysnugly contained therein during usage, with little slippage, except whenit is desired to insert or remove the belt member 12 from the passage 26(such as when the bag 14 is to be used on a cart). As is alsoillustrated in FIG. 1, the belt member 12 is open to the front in orderto allow placement about a user's waist (so the belt member 12 supportsweight upon the hips). The belt 12 accordingly has a first end 28 and asecond end 30 which may be releasably fastened together by the user tohold the system 10 in place during carrying.

An actual embodiment of the invention is shown in the illustrations ofFIGS. 2-5. The upright view of FIG. 2 particularly shows the structureof the belt member 12 and the sleeve 24, and the typical placement onthe tubular body 16 of the golf bag 14. As the other features of theillustrated golf bag (handles, pockets, stand mechanism and the like)are not germane to the present invention, these are not describedherein.

The presently preferred belt member 12 may be seen in this illustrationto include a somewhat wider central portion 32 which is adapted tosnugly fit within the passage 26 provided by the sleeve 24. The centralportion 32 of the belt 12 is stiffened in order to hold a curved shapeand generally resist either bending or straightening except when forceis applied to it. The stiffening of the central portion 32 keeps theshape open so it is easy for the user to fit into the belt 12 when it istime to don the assembly 10.

On either side of the central portion 32 are tapered intermediateportions 34 which are semi-rigid and padded to extend about the hips ofthe user. The interior side of the first end 28 is provided with a firstarea 36 of Velcro® or similar releasable adhesive material adapted tomate with a mating second area 38 on the outside surface of the secondend 30 (see FIG. 5). Other closure mechanisms, such as a quick-releasebuckle, may also be utilized.

The sleeve 24 is shown (particularly in FIG. 3.) to be padded in orderto serve as a back cushion to provide some support for the small of theuser's back during carrying. A sleeve extension 40 extends the paddingbeyond the portion of the sleeve 24 which covers the passage 26. FIG. 3illustrates the sleeve 24 area with the belt member 22 removed (as inwhere the bag is to be used in a cart, rather than carried).

FIG. 4 particularly illustrates the outside surface of the belt member12 and shows how the effective length thereof can be adjusted to fit thewaist of the user. The tapered portion 34 includes an interior receivingchannel 42 to slidably receive the semi-detached first end 28 (thesecond end 30 is also received in the same way at the other end of thebelt 12, not shown). The degree of overlap between the end 28 and thereceiving channel 42 is manually adjusted on each end so that acomfortable fit around the waist of the particular user is achieved andthe desired length is maintained by a length adjuster 44. The lengthadjuster 44 may be a sliding buckle type (as shown) or some othermechanism which can be secured at a desired length. In the preferredZERO-G™ golf bag embodiment of the invention, the belt 12 is adjustableto accommodate users having waist measurements of 28 to 48 inches (“onesize fits most”). It is desirable to adjust the lengthwise interfacebetween the receiving channels 42 of the tapered portions 34 equallywith respect to both the first belt end 28 and the second belt end 30 inorder to maintain balance of the belt 12 and to keep it centered on theuser's body. If the golf bag 14 is ordinarily carried by a single user,the length adjusters 44 may be secured (locked) for that user.

FIG. 5 illustrates the exterior sides of the end portions of the hipbelt member 12. The first end 28 has a pad of male Velcro (not shown inthis view. As discussed above, the second end 30 is shown to have thesecond adhesive area 38 (in this embodiment, female Velcro®). Otherexamples of a readily releasable closure subassembly include ahook-and-loop closure, a snap-and-rivet closure, a button assembly, azipper closure, a strap-and-ring closure, or any other known closure. Inaddition to the releasable closure materials on the inside surface, theoutside of the first end 28 is provided with a grasping loop 46 tofacilitate grasping the end and detaching the ends from each other whenthe user desires to take the belt 12 and the bag 14 off, such as when itis desired to make a shot.

Many other modifications to the above embodiment may be made withoutaltering the nature of the invention. The dimensions and shapes of thematerials may be modified for particular bags or categories of user. Thesleeve 24 may be widened and the passage 26 set at an angle to the axis18 to facilitate carrying with the collar 20 higher than the opposingend of the tubular body 16 rather than at the parallel to the ground andshoulders orientation of the preferred embodiment. Alternate methods ofextending and adjusting the length may be employed, or an elastic membermay be incorporated into the belt member 12. The amount of padding andthe shaping of the sleeve 24 may be adjusted for maximum user comfort.

It is also possible to retrofit the hip belt system 10 onto an existinggolf bag by affixing the sleeve 24 on the tubular portion of the golfbag 14 in the approved orientation.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notas limitations.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The hip belt system 10 of the present invention is intended for useprimarily by golfers who desire maximum comfort and optimal weightdistribution while carrying a golf bag. It is intended to be usedwhenever the bag is to be carried on the user's shoulders and hips,particularly during a round of golf or when traversing long distances,such as between a parking area and the course facilities. When carriedby a caddy, the bag may be retained in the carrying position for themajority of the round.

In typical use the user will obtain a new golf bag from the manufacturerwith the hip belt system 10 already in place. The belt member 12 will beinstalled on the golf bag 14 by sliding the belt member through thepassage 26 until the central portion 32 is evenly located within thepassage 26. The user will then adjust the shoulder carrying straps 22and the length of the belt member 12 to fit the user's waist, in thecase of the preferred belt member 12 by adjusting the length adjusters44 on each end of the belt 12 so that snug but comfortable fit results,with weight being supported on the hips as well as the shoulders. Thebelt 12 is then fastened in place about the user's waist, so that thebelt rests upon the hips by mating the adhesive areas 36 and 38. Once inplace, the padded sleeve 24 and sleeve extension 40 provide acomfortable cushion to the small of the user's back. The bag 14 may thenbe carried to the desired location, such as the next tee or the locationof the player's ball, for the next shot, where the grasping ring 46provides the leverage to break the adhesion and allow the belt member 12to be opened and the bag set down from the carrying position. Thedonning and divesting steps are repeated as often as needed during thecourse of the round.

In some circumstances, such as golf courses which require the use ofmotorized cart, the hip belt member 12 may be superfluous and awkwardfor placement of the bag 14 into the cart. In such circumstances, thebelt member 12 may simply be slidably removed from the sleeve 24 andstored until it is again needed. In this manner the golfer need nottransfer clubs and other paraphernalia between bags when playingdifferent courses, thus increasing the versatility of the hip beltsystem 10.

For the above, and other, reasons, it is expected that the golf bag hipbelt system 10 of the present invention will have widespread industrialapplicability. Therefore, it is expected that the commercial utility ofthe present invention will be extensive and long lasting.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment shouldnot be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

1. A hip belt system for a golf bag, comprising: a golf bag having agenerally tubular body having a longitudinal axis, a collar formed atone end of said tubular body, said collar being open for receiving golfclub shafts therethrough to extend into said tubular body, and one ormore straps for carrying said bag on the shoulders of the user; a sleevemember affixed to said tubular body, said sleeve having a transversepassage extending generally aligned with said longitudinal axis; and anelongated hip belt member for extending and fastening about the hips ofthe user when said golf bag is being carried; wherein said hip beltmember is slidably inserted through said transverse passage in saidsleeve member such that said golf bag may be at least partiallysupported by said hip belt when being carried.
 2. The hip belt system ofclaim 1, wherein: said hip belt member is removable from said sleeve forsituations where hip support is not desired.
 3. The hip belt system ofclaim 1, wherein: said sleeve is padded so as to provide a comfortablelower back cushion to the user when said bag is being carried.
 4. Thehip belt system of claim 1, wherein: said hip belt member includes acentral portion which extends through said sleeve during use, saidcentral portion being resiliently stiffened to retain its shape exceptwhen subjected to force.
 5. The hip belt system of claim 1, wherein:said hip belt member includes a first belt end, a second belt end and acentral portion, with a pair of tapered portions extending intermediatesaid central portion and said respective belt ends.
 6. The hip beltsystem of claim 5, wherein: said first belt end includes a firstfastening area adapted to releasably mate with a second fastening areaon said second belt end to facilitate readily releasable opening andclosing the belt.
 7. The hip belt system of claim 5, wherein: said firstbelt end includes a first fastener element adapted to releasably matewith a second fastener element on said second belt end to facilitatereadily releasable opening and closing the belt.
 8. The hip belt systemof claim 5, wherein: said tapered portions include receiving channels toslidably receive said first and second respective belt ends, each saidreceiving channel being provided with a length adjuster to secure thedesired degree of overlap between said respective belt end and saidreceiving channel.
 9. The hip belt system of claim 5, wherein: one ofsaid belt ends is adapted to overlap the other said belt end on theoutside and such belt end is provided with a grasping loop forfacilitating quick detachment.
 10. A golf bag carrying system,comprising: an elongated tubular golf bag adapted to transport golfclubs; and at least one carrying strap attached to said golf bag, saidcarrying strap extending to the shoulder of a user to facilitate bearingthe weight of the golf bag and clubs; and a hip belt accessory formating with said golf bag to provide a means to transfer a portion ofthe carrying weight of the golf bag and clubs to the hips of the userduring carrying; wherein said hip belt is detachably secured to saidgolf bag over a portion of its length; and said hip belt includes areadily releasable closure subassembly for facilitating rapid fasteningand unfastening of said hip belt from about the hips of the user. 11.The hip belt system of claim 10, wherein: said elongated tubular bag hasa longitudinal axis; and said hip belt is secured to be aligned withsaid longitudinal axis.
 12. The hip belt system of claim 10, wherein:said hip belt includes a first belt end portion and a second belt endportion; and said releasable closure subassembly includes a firstadhesive area on the interior surface of said first belt end portion anda second adhesive area on the exterior surface of said second belt endportion.
 13. The hip belt system of claim 10, wherein: said hip beltincludes a first belt end portion and a second belt end portion; andlength adjusters are provided in association with said first belt endportion and said second belt end portion, such that the total length ofsaid hip belt may be adjusted to accommodate the waist sizes of varioususers.
 14. The hip belt system of claim 10, wherein: said hip belt ispadded to provide comfort to the user.
 15. A golf bag adapted forcarrying on both the shoulders and waist of the user, comprising: anelongated tubular golf bag adapted to transport golf clubs, said tubularbag having a longitudinal axis; at least one carrying strap attached tosaid golf bag, said carrying strap extending to the shoulder of a userto facilitate bearing the weight of the golf bag and clubs; and said hipbelt is secured to said tubular bag and generally aligned with saidlongitudinal axis, said hip belt being adapted to fit about the waist ofa user during carrying in order to transfer a portion of the carryingweight of the golf bag and clubs to the hips of the user.
 16. The golfbag of claim 15, wherein: said hip belt is padded where it is secured tosaid tubular bag in order to provide comfort to the lower back of theuser.
 17. The golf bag of claim 15, wherein: said hip belt is lengthadjustable.
 18. The golf bag of claim 15, wherein: said hip beltincludes a readily releasable closure subassembly for facilitating rapidfastening and unfastening of said hip belt from about the hips of theuser.